The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-18
Farm Notes.

Colts that were foale in the fall Will
be no incumbrance at this season, as they
can be taken away from their dams and
turned on the pasture as soon as the grass
shall be ready. Ii is an advantage to
have the colts on the farm foaled in the
fall where the mares are intended to do
spring work.
Do not abandon the old reliable varie-
ties for novelties. Try all the novelties
that are brought out, for some of them
are excellent, but do not venture in them
entirely until satisfied of their worth. 1t
is not always that new varieties are adap-
ted to all soils, climates and conditions
The Jersey cattle are said to be increas-
ing In size. Those in this country are
much larger and harder than those
brought over 20 years ago, and We have
better stock here than can be procured
elsewhere, not excepting even the Isle of
Jersey.
During recent drought in Michigan
the Sharplese and Crescent varieties of
strawberries stood the test better than
some other kinds, while the Cuthbert,
Doolittle and tiregg proved the best of
the varieties of raspberries under the cir
cumstances.
Do notplow heavy clay soils when they
are wet, but wait until they can be pull
verized. If the frost be expected the
plowing of wet land viii do injury, but as
the season is now well advanced chances
of the frost assisting should not be taken.
To grow asparagus from seed pour hot
water on the seeds sufficiently to COW
er them, and allow them to stand two or
three days. Then SOW the seeds in boxes
of earth and transplant as soon as the
young plants shall be large enough.
Young chicks will eat wheat when they
are two weeks old. and they should be
given plenty of it. When they droop
from rapid feathering they should be al
lowed small proportion Of meat daily.
The farmer of to-day with brains and
ambition to make his farm pay must clear
his mind of cobwebs and his back Of
moss, and take his garden out into the
open field.
If you be trou bled with bark lice wash
the trees thoroughly with soft soap made
into suds. And by the way, it viii al
ways pay to carry the water on wash day
and apply it around the fruit trees.
The men who sold or gave away their
sheep three or four years ago, because
there was more money in cattle or hogs
are now realizing the error of rushing out
of. or into, business with every little
shade or turn of affairs. Stick to your
sheep through thick and thin, and in the
end you will always come out ahead.
If the land in which the orchard is
growing be thin, plow up thoroughly and
keep stirred without planting crop.
Good rich soil for three OF four years can
be prfiotably planted to some crop while
the orchard is growing But after that
the best plan is either to seed down to
clover and use as hog pasture, or TO culti-
vate without allowing any crop to grow.
If you have old trees that have failed
to yield priotable crops of fruit, dig the
soil up thoroughly and then apply good
dressing OF well-rotted stable manure and
work thoroughly into the soil. Then, if
you have them, apply a dressing of wood
ashes. If these fail to revive the trees,
after giving good pruning. they are
past redemption, and should give away to
something better
Onions are always grown on old ground
and as preparatory crop carrots are the
best Four or five pounds of seed TO the
acr is best, as much of the seed falls TO
grow, the effect of the smut or some SIM
liar cause, which destroys the vitality of
the seed before it breaks through the
soil Plow as shallow as possible-not
over four inches-,ieep plowing being the
cause of scullions. The blight is caused
by lice, and will show during spell of
very hot, dry weather